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Asking for a little gaming advice
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Alpha Centauri Forums
Old Test Forums
Asking for a little gaming advice
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| Author | Topic: Asking for a little gaming advice |
| Maya |
posted 12-05-98 09:05 PM ET  
Hello! I thinking about buying a new computer game when my term will be over (app. one week to go, wohoo!), but I'm torn between a few of them and I don't know which one to pick between: Now I remember reading in a thread that some of you are buying an insane amount of games per year, so I'm pretty sure that someone here as bought or is planning to buy one of thoses games. I read the reviews about them, but they all seem to be great, so that doesn't really help me. Since this is probably the only game I'll buy (with the exception of SMAC, of course!) =) for at least the next 1/2 year, if you have any thoughts about this, I'd be glad to read them. Thanks, |
| Sofielisk |
posted 12-05-98 09:10 PM ET
I haven't played any of them, but for replayability's sake i'd avoid Graphic Adventures. If you don't buy many games, then you'll probably want to make the most out of the games you do buy... "If you tolerate me then your children will be next" |
| Yo_Yo_Yo_Hey |
posted 12-05-98 09:22 PM ET
This is just my opinion, but I dislike RPG's so I wouldn't recommend Grim Fandango. The review I read at Gamespot said the game was rather short, so I don't think it'll hold you over for a half year. King's Quest: Again, my opinion. I've never heard of it, or read any reviews, so I don't know, sorry. Half life: I heard it was pretty good. it's a first person shooter that basically makes sense. What I mean is that guns, & medpacks aren't just floating in the air like in Doom. They have re-juvenation places in logical areas, like near a hot lab, or some other dangerous place I scientist might need it. Weapons will be on dead soldiers, weapons lockers etc... Caesar III: This looks like the best of them. I heard it was an excellent game, the only thing is that the combat system is kind of lacking. But if you like SimCity type games, just think of it like that, except with soldiers, & Roman architecture. Hopes this helps, if it doesn't, sorry Your faithful & hell-bent NIMadier general, |
| Yo_Yo_Yo_Hey |
posted 12-05-98 09:24 PM ET
Typos & mispellings, & bad grammar oh my =O!! Your faithful & hell-bent bad typer, |
| DarkLight |
posted 12-05-98 09:28 PM ET
Well, out of those, go with Half-Life; a first-person shooter with excellent gameplay, graphics, and an actual story is not to be passed up. Now, if you want my personal recommendation, go with Starcraft. You'll find twenty or so willing opponents on Battle.Net, all of them probably willing to show you the ropes, and some of them rather horrid at the game. No offense, to those who know who they are. However, I'm a CWALer, so I might be considered slightly biased in that area. Ceaser III, I have heard, is also good, but I've never played it, so I can't give you any assurances on it. King's Quest might be good, but I'm not into that kind of RPG for some reason. Grim Fandango, as a graphic adventure, probably doesn't have much replay value; of course, Sofie already said that. So, in conclusion, get Starcraft, if you like real time strategy games, and then, once you've played the single-player campaigns, hop onto B.Net and come find CWAL. We'd be happy to slaughter-er, 'help' you.  |
| Imran Siddiqui |
posted 12-06-98 02:26 AM ET
Of course, my dear, it depends on what you like? RPG and Adventure, then go with Grim Fandango or King's Quest; First Person shooter - Half Life; Strategy - Ceasar 3. Personally I'd take King's Quest, it looks cool (Tomb Raider style). May I also suggest Fallout 2, an RPG. Wait! Actually, you said, you only buy few comp games, so to make it last a while, I'd pick Ceasar 3. After all Strategy games are expected to provide a long time for playing. Also, you might like Populous 3. I don't know, try gamespot.com and pick and choose. Imran Siddiqui |
| osric |
posted 12-06-98 02:38 AM ET
I have a friend who really likes the Kings Quest and says the latest is the best of the bunch. I'm curious about the Grim Fandango (cultural thing and something different than western religions more than the game aspect) But for heaven's sake, if you don't own Civilization II go out and get it now! |
| chrisk |
posted 12-06-98 05:57 AM ET
Since you seem to be a Alpha Centauri fan, then I'd go for Caesar III. It's somewhat like the civilization series. Chrisk..... |
| Mortis |
posted 12-06-98 06:33 AM ET
If you've got a sense of humor then I suggest Grim Fangango. Classic Lucas Arts adventure in 3D, some of the best voice acting around and all the other jucie bits in between. Get the demo and see for yourself.  |
| Marian |
posted 12-06-98 08:43 AM ET
If you want one of the most interesting games this year, then buy Ceasar III. The atmosphere is suberb
Marian |
| Golf |
posted 12-06-98 10:37 AM ET
Well I happen to have played 2 or more of those choices. Half Life ... The most unbelieavable shooter game to have you jumping out of your seat in gruesome realistic terror. A lot like what it would be like to be Indiana Jone i would think Ceasar 3..... Sorry to those that like it, but its more of the same and i was sorely dissapointed and i LOVE all the Sim games. Grim Fandango.... Interesting, but short life of the game. not very replayable. Sierra Games are all good so the Kings Quest which i have played most of are great and it would keep you entertained for quite some time. Populus 3.....OK now im mad i bought this game and it was the Worst thing i ever played. I cant say enough bad about it. And i love Bullfrog. Now if you want something fun and cheap go out and bus some YOU DONT KNOW JACK games those are hysterical and fun for you and some friends all at the same time. As u can see im one of the people who buys a lot of games and im not buying anymore until SMAC because all the games coming out for a while all suck. Everthing is just a sequel of the same old thing or a copy of it. Hope this helps |
| DJ RRebel |
posted 12-06-98 10:39 AM ET
Heya Maya !! Been wondering where you've been hiding ??? Anyways, glad your semester is almost done !!! AS for advice, well you didn't give us enough info !!! Do you want something different from SMAC ??? (Anticipating that you'll buy SMAC and want variety) Anyways, I'll actually be getting a few good games this week .. Unreal & Ceasar 3 among them !!! I also have tons of demo disks from all sorts of mags !!! Anyways, if you want any of them, just e-mail me or ICQ me (ICQ#5677827) !!! Take care, and good luck with your last week of school !!! (I know you don't like smileys, but tough ( |
| DJ RRebel |
posted 12-06-98 10:40 AM ET
BTW .. my e-mail is: [email protected] (The 0 after rebel is a zero, not the letter oh) |
| Abdiel |
posted 12-06-98 05:15 PM ET
Have to throw in a good word for a game you probably haven't heard about. Think about Thief: the Dark Project. It's a true thinking man's First person game. I refuse to call it a shooter. You play (naturally enough) a thief, hiding in shadows, avoiding detection, clubbing people over the head, and occasionally fighting them. It's made by Looking Glass Studios, that brought us one of the best games ever, System Shock, as well as other older favorites, like the Ultima Underworld games and Flight Unlimited. They are a consistently excellent company. I preordered the game, a first for me. It's on shelves now, and the demo is available from Gamespot and all sorts of other sites. Of course, all your other options are excellent, as well, particularly Grim Fandango and Halflife. I played the King's Quest demo a couple of days ago, and it's very different. Don't know if I like the combat that much, haven't decided. And, BTW, Gamespot didn't say that Grim Fandango is overly short, just that you'd wish it were longer, because it's so good. |
| SnowFire |
posted 12-06-98 05:29 PM ET
Can't believe I missed this thread. Grim Fandango is a fine game from what I've heard, but alas graphic adventures are fading. So wait 6 monthes for the price to go down to 20 bucks, THEN buy it. You won't regret it. Caesar III: I played the demo and was kinda disappointed. But you can make up your own mind, there's surely a demo at www.sierra.com and plenty of other places on the net. Half-Life- do you like shooters (enough to buy them)? If yes, get it. The best 1st person shooter out there right now, with (gasp) smart enemies for once. King's Quest: Mask of Eternity- Not very familiar with this specific one, but I'm sure it'd be a good RPG. Instead, I'd suggest Fallout which you can get for only 30 dollars now at www.ebworld.com and is time-tested greatness, or wait for Everquest to come out in March, as that is supposed to be an AWESOME online RPG, like UO fixed and from a 1st person view. Check out my coping with the delays threads for my picks, but they all are coming later. Myth II (excellent), SMAC (duh), Civ: Call to Power (maybe), and HOMM III (oh yeah). Hmmm, one real time and 3 turn based strat games. I know what genre I like... |
| Gord McLeod |
posted 12-07-98 03:08 AM ET
Hey Maya... I've picked up a few games lately, but the one I'm really addicted to is, oddly enough, Half-Life. I haven't been a fan of games like Doom and Quake to any real extent, but this one is just absolutely fascinating. It's realistic in execution and really well scripted so that it almost feels like an adventure game in a sense, in addition to being a shooter. This would definitely be a recommendation. One that DJ mentioned, Unreal, also tempted me into the 1st person shooter arena - I like that one a lot too, it's visually stunning and has a good story, but Half-Life has it beat for playability. (However, some of the upcoming games based on the Unreal engine look like they may surpass Half-Life... http://www.wheeloftime.com will be a pleasant surprise for fans of Robert Jordan and strategy fans.) Of the others on your list, I've heard good things about Grim Fandango, but it's not to my personal taste. My second recommendation would probably have to be Ceasar III, though I probably won't get it myself, not having been impressed with either of the first two... but, I'm willing to be proven wrong, so I'm going to wait for a friend of mine to return to the 'net to tell me what it's like. (She's been strangely scarce since getting the game, so I'm expecting glowing reviews.) BTW, if by some chance you DO go with Half-Life, let me know... I'm looking for people to play multiplayer with, but prefer people I'm at least familiar with or actually know. |
| talon54 |
posted 12-14-98 04:36 AM ET
Whom!! Maya how come Thief the Dark Project was not on your list? Every reviewer has said this is an innovation in a game from the first person perspective.Its the first game that actually uses light and shadow and sound and incorporates it into the strategy of the game.Your a master thief who gets caught up in a story of deceit and treachery. The idea is to remain stealthy and avoid your enemies and on the higher levels you cant kill any people to win the game.The environments are fantastic and the game is very immersive.Make too much noise and guards will here you. Or dont hide in the shadows theyll see you. The thief uses a blackjack and a bow with lots of different kinds of arrows. You have to have at least a p166 with an 3d accelerator p200 without and I would have 64 megs of ram to cut down load times. |
| BoomBoom |
posted 12-14-98 10:09 AM ET
I have Caesar3, but I think it is a bit boring to be completely honest. I have Grim Fandango as well, which is a good laugh but won't keep you busy for half a year (however it should do until SMAc comes out). The game I'm playing now is Fallout2 which is an absolutely great game (but then i liked the original as well), and NBA Live 99 but that is, looking from the list you gave, probably not your cup of tea. |
| Mostly Harmless |
posted 12-14-98 10:21 AM ET
- Grim Fandango, by LucasArt I loved this game, but you won't get any replay value out of it. If you just want something to tide you over until SMAC is available from you local pusher it should do nicely. - King Quest: Mask of Eternity, by Sierra - Half-Life, by Valve - Caesar III, by Impressions Software. |
| DJ RRebel |
posted 12-14-98 04:28 PM ET
Maya .. just thought I would also mention Civ2 Multiplayed Gold edition is supposed to come out here on the 16th !!! It could be delayed again though !!! |
| MikeH II |
posted 12-14-98 04:47 PM ET
Just like to add my vote to the Half Life camp. I bought it yesterday and after the most atmospheric intro I've ever seen (which is done with the game engine) I played for an hour before I got too tense and had to take a break to calm down. (First time I've got this involved in the atmosphere of a game since Doom2) I've been checking for things hanging from the ceiling all day. I love those security guards "Sure I'll come with you, better than getting killed on my own." Thanks for the confidence booster guys. The interaction with the other characters is excellent. It's the thinking persons Quake, in fact I'm going to stop posting here and play it now. It's THAT good! |
| DJ RRebel |
posted 12-14-98 04:51 PM ET
If it's for thinking people, then why are you playing it ??? LOL |
| Mostly Harmless |
posted 12-14-98 05:41 PM ET
Regarding Civ2 gold, don't get it. I drove all the way to redmond to get it, and I tried to play four way on our LAN. No go. somebody (usualy three somebodys) got booted before the game even started. The only way we could even get three of us up was to start with two, and have a third hot-join the game. Even then, it still crashed every dozen or so turns. I finaly gave up and started a two player game on the huge earth map. We advanced until railroads and gunpowder, I haveing defeated the Zulus in South America, I went to build some boats to go conquering. No dice. I could not build _Any_ boats in _any_ city, period. My friend could build boats, but only in his capitol (he was in Australia). Our coastal cities could build harbors and the like, but no boats. Needless to say, that was a waste of about 16 hours. I am takeing the game back to EBX today, and I will just have to keep waiting for SMAC to fill my turn-based dreams of conquest. |
| Shining1 |
posted 12-14-98 09:51 PM ET
Half-life: Gibber gibber gibber God what a beautiful game. If you have ANY interest in run-around-and-shoot-things games, this is the game to get. This is the most frightening, intelligent, challenging game I have ever played. It's exactly the same feeling as you first got when playing doom - this really is the 'next big thing'. This is the sort of game you spend $500 to upgrade your P.C for. This is... dammit, just get the game! |
| Fluke |
posted 12-14-98 10:10 PM ET
With games like Grim Fandango I would recommend getting some friend's copy as the person finishes it. If nobody you know buys it then make a little club of three people and buy it in unison. Should cut the cost to the replay value (yes I know it's not very fair to the brilliant Lucasart but it's still better than nobody buying the game and it's legal). And if anybody has 1200MB free harddrive they can copy the game to their harddrive using VirtualCD (only 600 needed if the first cd is an install cd) so you can play at the same time. But that is illegal (kinda anyway). |
| Gord McLeod |
posted 12-15-98 04:46 AM ET
Hah! Half-Life is NOT the same feeling you get the first time you play Doom. First time I played Doom I was bored to tears. Heretic was fairly fun but got tiresome pretty quickly. Half-Life is the first truely interesting shooter-style game that has come out, period. Thief is second - I've played the demo, it is absolutely amazing. The AI isn't quite as good as Half-Life's, but the sheer originality of concept is unbeatable. One question for Talon - is Thief multiplayer-capable? I haven't heard anything about that side of things yet... |
| Zan Thrax |
posted 12-15-98 05:09 AM ET
Nope. no multi-player. Too bad. It'd be like GoldenEye with the golden gun cheat. Whoever hides best gets a clean, one-shot kill. I played nothing but graphic adventures as a kid, but of course, I wasn't paying for them. The main reason that they're not being made anymore is that they cost as much as the average hollywood movie to make. If you like them at all, Grim Fandango is a great game to get. (but there really isn't much replayability) Oh yeah. Definately consider thief. If you really want to get involved in a game, play the one that has you holding your breath and screaming when you turn around a zombie's about to much you. |
| JustAName |
posted 12-15-98 05:10 AM ET
Sheesh, I'm dasappointed in you all... Have you forgotten about Baldur's Gate? Only the biggest, most comprehensive, and only FULLY RENDERED (no tiles, ALL art) RPG game ever? And you call yourselves gamers... |
| Zan Thrax |
posted 12-15-98 05:18 AM ET
Well, of course we're not forgetting it. But its not out yet, so Maya can't very well buy it now can she? I mean, everyone's going to get Baldur's Gate. Its a given. |
| Imran Siddiqui |
posted 12-15-98 06:22 AM ET
However, she can buy Fallout 2, made by the same developer, Black Isle Entertainment, for the same publisher, Interplay. Talk about a great RPG, especially since it parts with the fantasy RPG's and actually does something original! Imran Siddiqui |
| MikeH II |
posted 12-15-98 06:59 AM ET
Half-Life: I'm in love with this game. I spent the whole of last night thinking. Why are they shooting us, they should be here to help! Why are my fellow scientists so weak! and that was after I had to stop playing again due to stress. I was mildly embarrassed to be caught by my brother shouting "Nice one buddy, now lets get the rest of these alien bastards!" to a security guard who just got one of those face hugger things which was coming up behind me. I think the only thing that could make the game better whould be if the NPCs responded to my shouting. I'm shouting "Get out of the way I can't get a clean shot" and the scientist's just standing there getting eaten, it's like he can't here me! Imagine what it would feel like if you were really on the ship in Alien, it's like that. |
| MikeH II |
posted 12-15-98 07:05 AM ET
I keep typing the wrong here/hear I think I might have a defective brain. |
| Roland |
posted 12-15-98 07:39 AM ET
The importance of interpunctation (word ?): I don't think. I need a brain. I don't think I need a brain. Brain ? Are you there ? |
| MikeH II |
posted 12-15-98 07:49 AM ET
Just the importance of punctuation would do I think. |
| Roland |
posted 12-15-98 08:10 AM ET
I don't think. Punctuation is the word! I don't think punctuation is the word! In the hose of commons, do they say "Here!Here!" or "Hear!Hear!" ? Do you really pronounce "staff" and "stuff" the same way ? |
| MikeH II |
posted 12-15-98 08:15 AM ET
Here! Here! How you pronounce them depends on your accent. I pronounce stuff like rough and staff like laugh in the north they pronounce staff like the traff in traffic. |
| Roland |
posted 12-15-98 08:50 AM ET
LOL! Aren't there different pronounciations of "laugh" as well ? It was just pretty interesting when I heard native speakers pronounce stuff and staff either the same way or differently. This is totally confusing and I have to strongly object to this practice! |
| MikeH II |
posted 12-15-98 09:02 AM ET
Hmmm how to explain... Pronounce Laugh and staff with the vowel like the ah in autobahn. (hope that makes sense) Pronounce the stuff vowel like the u in up. |
| Zan Thrax |
posted 12-15-98 11:23 AM ET
Aren't laugh and traff(ic) pronounced the same way??? |
| Jojo |
posted 12-15-98 07:44 PM ET
I'd go with DarkLight's recommendation to get StarCraft: 1) It's price is coming down 2) It's a damn fine game. The remark about how there are three separate species, yet cunningly balanced is right on the mark. Replay value is limited only to how long folks will be logginh on to battle.net to play. I still see folks on there playing Diablo, so my guess is the game could last you years. As for any of the adventrue games-- I've given up on them-- too tedious and no replay. Just me. On the other hand, I enjoyed playing Wing Commander, so I'm a little schizo on the replay thing. Caesar III? Don't know the game, but I would imagine that once you got SMAC, Caesar would sit on the shelf indefinitely. |
| CClark |
posted 12-16-98 12:18 PM ET
So, Maya. Whatdja get? Did you get anything or have you just asked for stuff for Christmas? Personally, I try and play a demo whenever possible. There are demos out for C3 and Grim. I think there's one for Half-life as well. I haven't played any of the ones you mentioned. I had Caesar 2 but I didn't enjoy it. My dad, on the other hand, loved it to bits and is still playing it. (Guess what he's getting for Christmas? |
| DJ RRebel |
posted 12-17-98 10:49 AM ET
I wish I had time to check out the millions of demos I have !!! Roland >>> Where is the Hose of Commons ??? Does it have hot or cold water running from it ??? Anyone know if the Pioneer SCSI DVD-Rom is any good ??? I was going to buy a Plextor SCSI CD-Rom, but the Pioneer SCSI DVD is only about $40 more expensive !!! |
| CClark |
posted 12-17-98 01:06 PM ET
DJ - I know Plextor is a well-respected name. As for DVD, I've not bothered with it since there is very little software on it right now. It's still too early in my opion. If you want other people's opinon about hardware, three good sites are: I'm sure there are others. Products tested and reviewed are generally mainstream items so you might not be able to find a review for your drives though. Hope that helps. |
| Gord McLeod |
posted 12-17-98 02:31 PM ET
CClark, it may be too early for software but DVD movies on a good computer monitor are absolutely gorgeous. Especially if you pipe the sound through a surround setup... |
| Roland |
posted 12-18-98 08:15 AM ET
DJ: "Where is the Hose of Commons ??? Does it have hot or cold water running from it?" It's in everybody's garden, but only those commoners that are more equal than others have a warm water hose. Isn't that obvious ? Now I gotta look for one of your typos... |
| DJ RRebel |
posted 12-18-98 12:17 PM ET
LOL ... Roland, that shouldn't be too hard !!! As for getting the DVD, the only reason, is that the Pioneer SCSI DVD is only $40 more than the Plextor SCSI CD-Rom ... I figurerd spent the extra $40, and not upgrade when I eventually do get around to getting a DVD !!! |
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, well I do this since it's your thread =O. Sierra doesn't have a rep. for good games either, but they have had a few good games, IMO.